Also the quality of these programs. Cosby shows 100 times a day..why? Because 20 years later its still funny. House of Payne is the worse thing on TV. Girlfriends was pointless after Toni left, you never break up an ensemble cast. Under one roof, Flavor Flav says it all.
Lets not forget the success of the black reality show. Runs house, I married a baller. Flavor of love/I love NY (sigh) George foreman. Sitcoms just cost more, so networks are not as willing to take a chance on them.

Hollywood probably feels like they have done all of the "black" stories and anything else would be a remake. They could never think outside the box.

If I never see another black sitcom then that is fine with me. Do we always have to make others laugh? I will take a black drama anyday. Before there was the complaint that there were not enough dramas and tool much comedy. Now a complaint of not enough comedies? Give me a break!

blacks need to stop waiting (and whining) for others to do for them and do for themselves …. yada yada yada

@jazzymelanin cosign
and

blacks need to stop worrying about what others think of us all time. slavery is over-relax.

@ cosmicsistren

I agree, why can't we have a serious drama? All shows with an all black cast as categorized as comedies…why is that? Because for some reason, Hollywood's doesn't think a serious drama would make as much money as a comical portrayal of a black family and community. Same sh!t goes on with other races. I mean can you name one major movie in the past ten years about Asian people that didn't involve martial arts or weak-willed, subservient Asian women? Hollywood thrives on stereotypes.

@ Chic Noir

Yea slavery is over but the consequences of it still live on. So to just sweep it under the rugs as something happening in the past just allows for BS like that to repeat itself in the future. Slavery and its horrible and revolting history should forever live the minds of all humans for all generations until racial, religious, sexual, etc prejudice is eradicated from our society. When will that be? NEVER.

@ jazzymelanin

What an insensitive, racist comment to make. Don't minimize other people and their concerns just because you can't or chose not to understand them. There are many blacks that are up and about, doing things to change the problems of today and resent that you are trying to make blacks out to be some lazy, ungrateful, ignorant race of people. Stop projecting your insecurities and internalized hatred on others.

Sweetness! A David Hauslaib cameo!

@jazzymelanin
Your quite blatantly blaming the victim. How are blacks supposed to suddenly take away all the racism that keeps people disinterested in shows with black casts?

chic noir, that comment was incredibly naive. Black people reaching into generations to come are going to suffer psychological damage due to the atrocities of slavery.

on topic: one problem is quality programming. advertisers of trusted brands are not going to want to put their money behind a show that no one is going to watch. as someone said, Hollywood thrives on stereotypes. sad, but true. what we need is someone who can repeat what Bill Cosby did: present a well written show, with crossover appeal, that has quality actors, and portrays Black life in a positive way.

another issue is reality shows. everyone is jumping on the money train and going for this "reality" bullshit. take Snoop's show for example, he could have just as easily put his money behind a sitcom or drama or kids show. instead he pays a writer to rewrite his life.

p.s. psychological damage = images in media, submissive racism, slave mentality, etc.

Girlfriends was pointless after Toni left
**snaps**

As for black drama vs. black sitcom, I have to say that I'd rather have the black sitcom. Life is hard. I don't want to spend my leisure time getting stressed out. Do you know how many times I've rented "Life Support" from the library yet I've yet to watch it because it's not a humorous escape? I won't even watch "Dynasty" anymore because it doesn't make me laugh. I have not watched ONE episode of Soul Food.

I have to disagree when it comes to buying power. Beauty companies are very well aware of the fact that black women spend FAR more on hair and beauty products than all others, regardless of income. I don't see a shortage of advertisers on many of these shows. I do notice an excess of advertisements for crap foods (McDonald's, Kraft Mac n Cheese, sugar cocktail, etc.) and beauty products (L'Oreal, Cover Girl, Revlon, etc) when I watch "black" shows.

Mara Brock Akil has been doing her thing. Tyler Perry's show is popular but frankly, crap. Sadly, this is pretty much the main black sitcom on right now and black people will watch because we understandably enjoy seeing people who look like ourselves. It's better than the vH1-BET-MTV crap. You have to understand that there are VERY few black people pulling the purse strings on the networks. I believe there are people putting good ideas out there but without the heavyweights, they get no where. I don't think Girlfriends would have been picked up without the backing of Kelsey Grammar (of Frasier fame who is white). I don't think All of Us would exist without Will Smith. Without Bill Cosby, A Different World wouldn't have been considered. The reality shows are far easier. All you need is a coon or coonette who brings in viewers and voila! Cheap show with LOTS of crossover appeal. No heavy hitters necessary. I'm in awe of Run's House's appeal actually. No coons in sight but LOADS of viewers. I don't think it has HUGE crossover appeal though.

"Ethnic" shows with crossover appeal last a hell of a lot longer. Grey's Anatomy, Ugly Betty, Oprah, Tyra and ANTM are the modern examples. The Cosby Show is the perfect example in my view. It's especially amazing because ALL the main characters were black though non-black minor characters and guest stars existed. I don't know a single white person who watched "Girlfriends" though oddly, many of my Asian friends watched even after Toni left. My friend Xiao actually got me hooked on it to begin with.

DI-MY-E- Very true.
It also set black people back economically. It's been 200 hundred years, but blacks still have to play catch-up.

I agree with you - it's about the bottom dollar. There are little to no people of color in positions of power at the networks and studios. To them, black shows don't make as much money as a white show would (unless we're cooning like Flavor Flav).

Another thing is… most white people don't watch black shows. Just like they wouldn't dare buy a copy of Ebony or Essence (even though we buy Vogue or Elle without so much as a second thought). They're in the majority, they're who businesses cater to because they want their money. Pretty much.

Brownngirl, I do find that funny. I read Latina magazine. I don't even know many Latinas, but it's a good read. So it's odd to me that a white person probably won't even read Ebony or Essence, even at the doctor's office.

I do think there are plenty of movies and shows with great crossover appeal. "Why Did I Get Married?" had ALL black people yet a lot of non-blacks saw it. Why is that? What made it more appealing than other movies with mostly black people with issues that apply to them?

As for why we buy Vogue and Elle, I think it's pretty much an unspoken fact that non-whites will support mainstream (=white) things because that's "normal." Seriously, how many of you watched "Friends" and "Sex and the City" in spite of the fact that both NYC based shows had fewer people of color than Colorado based "Dynasty" two decades earlier?

"As for why we buy Vogue and Elle, I think it's pretty much an unspoken fact that non-whites will support mainstream (=white) things because that's "normal." Seriously, how many of you watched "Friends" and "Sex and the City" in spite of the fact that both NYC based shows had fewer people of color than Colorado based "Dynasty" two decades earlier?"

I see your point, but i have to disagree with you, people deiced what they want to watch, or engage in anything because it interests to them and they find it entertaining.
Blacks only did not watch the Cosby's alone, same with Fresh Prince. These shows including Friends and SATC lasting long because they are good.
Im not going to watch a show, just beacuse its a black cast if its not good.

Black dollar is less valuable. Tptb know they don't have to put a black show on to get the black audience, because many will watch anyway. Even BET is owned by the same company as MTV.

Television of the 90's was about informing, shocking, and stepping outside of the box- sexual content, violence, and race was put out there to sensationalize shows- Real World comes to mind!!But now that people are living under the pretense of "color blind", they don't find the AA elements sensational anymore.Nor do they feel compelled to move forward in integrating television. In fact they've moved onto sensationalizing gay topics-Nuke, Ugly Betty's sex change…They use the minority to shock the majority. Television isn't for the minority!

Shows like the Cosby show were from the 80's and much more interested in empowering, as were many of the shows from the 80's. Who's the Boss was about empowered women, as did St. Elsewhere feature a black doctor. Bill Cosby was smart enough to not write the show into a box, of drama or comedy- unlike House of Pain, Martin, etc….But he understood the market was looking to show family- Growing Pains, Wonder Years.

2000's are still after sensational storytelling, but who cares about seeing color- that's not sensational, so they have to put on people with no boundaries, and they call them reality shows.

When movies such as Crash wins an Oscar, that should tell you about how integrated our society really is. Unless people write shows to fit into the ever changing television culture, they won't survive. White or Black.

excellent comment, Mia.

And while many blacks don't want to see harsh realities because they are in favor of escapism, that no longer makes any sense. An integrated casts makes more sense than a single race cast- hence the ridiculousness of daytime soaps,and the issues with shows like Girlfriends, Martin….

In order for blacks to be integral in making a difference they have to create an integrated cast- Grey's Anatomy- and ensure a place for their minority cast members. Place them in positions to be just as important as the core. Thanks Miss Rhymes. Make sure the casting department understands that the casting is open! and write from there. But those responsibilities don't have to rest on AA's shoulders. It should be a priority for anyone in the minority and in executive positions. Cast and think of ways to market that cast, not the other way around.

For instance, a show revolving around rehab, you have plenty of sensational ideas- drugs, sex, therapy, celebs, teens- integrated cast, all age groups welcomed, and yet has elements of reality and comedy. NO locks in the casting department, and yet plenty of opportunities to communicate with all communities.

Blended families are the new staple family, so Growing Pains and the Cosby Show are out- unless one plans on divorcing said comedic black family and integrating them with othe cultures, don't expect that good ol' wholesome family to watch- because they're becoming extinct. So a divorced black family where the said parent is remarried to other people of same or opposite sexes- with kids to share could be funny. Throw in a sensational job, and some nosey neighbors and you have a new black comedy. Don't forget to integrate the cast whenever possible, lay off the stereotypes and play off cliches.

It's about money. Networks are not going to invest in a black show that has to limited appeal when the coon shows on VH-1 are cheaper to produce.

The only two black shows I can actually watch in re-runs: The Cosby Show and Bernie Mac Show. There were written and produced better than most black shows.

Lets to be completely honest, I know we are trying to find something racists and prejudice..

but frankly..sitcoms in general are not really that big anymore..if you think about the biggest shows are reality or drama shows

I personally don't think a black version of 90210 or Gossip Girl would have a lot of viewers. I don't think a whole bunch of spoiled, generally mean-spirited, rich, shallow black girls who sleep around would seem as lovable or cool like their white equivalents. I've watched My Super Sweet 16 with my friends. They generally have a hell of a lot of negative things to say about the ethnic spoiled brats. For some reason, when a white kid behaves badly, it's amusing and everyone gets voyeuristic. When a black kid behaves badly, it's embarrassing and they want to change the channel. We've only watched the ones with the good spoiled black kids all the way to the end.

If David Hauslaib actually leaves Jossip, I will slowly insert an uncoiled paperclip into my brain.

Sitcoms are on the decline. The few ones who make it usually have a big (white) star. I detest most reality shows. I saw five minutes of Flavor of Love and I was immediately disgusted at the misogynistic and racist tones.

I appreciate the efforts of Tyra Banks, who in all her wackiness, makes an effort to have more diversity on her shows without it being pandering. I think because she is a minority herself and she knows the struggle it is to get equal face time, she recognizes the lack of diversity.

BTW: I'm half Latina half white and I've looked at Essence in the doctor's office, it had interesting articles. I think sometimes the mentality is that people think, oh thats aimed at black people, thats not for me.

And there were alot of people who watched black sitcoms in the 90's. Plenty of my friends know all about Martin, Living Single, and Girlfriends. I think that it's misunderstanding and generalized ideas like these that keep many of the shows from being made.

I don't see the point of having to create separate canvases for blacks, whites, and latinos. Is it because the writers would show favoritism to one group over the other? Why can't gossip girl have blacks and latinos. I think that would appeal to a larger audience. Why weren't there more minorities involved in 90210? I think the issues lie with people in executive positions realizing they don't have to write for minorities because they will watch anyway.

I LOVE YOU David. Yeah Bring the White Best Firend. I think it is telling that a show like Grey's Anatomy written by a Black women is has its center/sun as a white woman…Dr. Grey…

*Friend…sorry for the typo

There is not a lot of diversity on TV. However, network managers realize that ethnic audiences will watch shows that are geared towards them. The networks historically have used this technique to launch new networks. For example when Fox, CW, UPN and WB first went on the air, a large number of their shows had an ethic focus. Once the networks become successful, they then focused on grabbing the young white viewers to increase advertising revenue and to create a consistent following. The minority that has had the most success on television is obviously the Jews. There is no shortage of Jewish characters on TV. They have the financial backing and the people in management positions to get their programs and voices on the air. Other minorities need to learn from them and concentrate on maintaining control of their programs and networks.

"…lack of black buying power relative to white buying power – is the ultimate cause of the similar lack of black programming."

I really don't think corporate America is sitting around saying, well White people have 50 billion to spend on these sorts of things and African Americans only have 25 billion to spend, so let’s ignore Black people.

Corporations are not in the habit of ignoring money. They have to increase their revenue, usually every quarter. So they are constantly looking for new revenue streams. The problem is that these revenue streams are not always available to them. If the network execs don't provide programming that attracts a particular demographic then the prospective advertisers can't create the programming themselves. Although I think that might be something we’ll see in the future.

This is as simple as White network execs not willing to think outside the box that was given to them by their predecessors.

African Americans spend billions each year; corporations want that money. Now where does the rubber meet the road?

Until the execs of this generation are gone there won't be much of a change; they are resistant to creating programming that does not cater to the larger demographic.

I stopped watching any and all sitcoms years ago, although I do occasionally tune in to "How I met your mother". That's mainly to watch my future husband Neil Patrick Harris though.

I would love to see some really good black focused/lead dramas, and there is a market for it.
Of course there are many factors as to why we are saddled with crap like "House of Payne" instead, racism being a major one. Another is black people themselves. We have been force fed a diet of mediocrity for so long, that many of us can't even identify a minstrel show while watching it.

Gossip Girl is escapist drivel, and I see no reason why there couldn't be a black version out there, other than people assuming blacks can't possibly be rich, vapid, and gorgeous to a mainstream audience. Attitudes like that will keep us in the ghetto basement of network tv forever.

"I personally don't think a black version of 90210 or Gossip Girl would have a lot of viewers…when a black kid behaves badly, it's embarrassing and they want to change the channel. We've only watched the ones with the good spoiled black kids all the way to the end."

I think that's a tunnel visioned way of thinking about a black 90210 or Gossip Girl. There's a difference is seeing a reality show, there's "real" black people, and it's not fiction and therefore seen by many people as a real representation of black people. As opposed to multi-facted scripted characters, these black characters play archetypes. Black people watch TV dramas, they watch soaps, they watch sitcoms, they like their white counterparts love those evil characters, or the sexpots, or the heroes — a show with all black people playing each of those roles? Who wouldn't be drawn to something entertaining, well-written, representing them, and representing more than one type of black person?

From original 90210 — I as a black person would enjoy a fun soap with black versions of a Kelly/Brenda, or from GG seeing a black Blair up against a black Jenny.

Also, from someone who's working his way up in the television industry — I'll agree with the above poster that sitcoms themselves are on life support. Even the ones that are great like 30 Rock or How I Met Your Mother aren't pulling in numbers like the bigger dramas, it's been a turnaround since the 90s. There's also the fact that many of those black sitcoms began on fledgling networks that usually had less to charge for advertisers, etc. and so they were able to put on black shows, gain a loyal following and the segue into the whiter market. It happened with early FOX for sure, even the CW which had a turnaround about the year Buffy/Roswell joined the network.

The CW isn't interested in that apparently, they seem to be going after the young white girl market with shows like Gossip Girl or whatever that new show Surviving the Filthy Rich is called this week. It's getting them buzz because GG is so sensational, and 90210 is bringing back old cast members, but they don't really have the numbers either and GG will probably be gone in less than two seasons if it doesn't pick up.

The reason why sitcoms are doing poorly is because the past ones are much better than the present ones. I'd much rather watch a 90s sitcom rerun than Two and a Half Men.

@Ira, I just don't think regurgitating an old show with characters that really aren't very multifaceted will work. I would LOVE it if a great black drama came out and worked really well. This is one of those times I'd like to be proven wrong.

@solitarie: maybe there's just a certain expectation, perhaps especially in black people, on how rich black people act and it ain't like Gossip Girl or 90210. Maybe the nouveau riche spawn of entertainers act like that in LaLaLand, but the Jack&Jill set? Not so much. Maybe someone who attended an HBCU can give a more accurate picture, but I can't imagine any "Our Kind of People" people partaking in that "escapist drivel."

@DavidH: they are basically Gwen Stefani's Harajuku Girls.

David- I think that's the problem with most of the integrated shows, they have put the idea of equalizing on the backburner. Meanwhile I have to sit through another one of Izzy's nervous breakdowns.
The black buying power is increasing, and I notice that the total viewership of television is at a decline. Are they related? I don't know.I think it's important for minorities to step into not only executive positions but writing,casting, and directing positions as well. There seems to be a quota with these shows to keep a few minorites in their production departments, and many minorities in positions of influence back away from this struggle in order to move up the corporate ladder.

As for Gossip Girls two Asians, I don't see how that affects the Asian population, seeing that many identify themselves as Korean, Japanesse, etc… this wanting to cover all Asian culture with 2 girls doens't make much sense to this group. They know the difference. Once again the casting and showcasing of minorities is for the majority. Television is for the majority. As will be 90210.

I think Private Practice does well. But that's the only show I'm looking forward to in the fall.

I was looking at Boyz in the Hood the other night and realized that great dramas are also on the decline. You catch one every now and again, but like Spike Lee said on Black in America; it is hard to grab funding for Black dramas. Now, if you want to shuck and jive a la Flavor Flav…you are good to go. I see white sitcoms survive for years and they are absolutely horrible. Taye Diggs had two…Daybreak & Kevin Hill that both got the ax prematurely in my opinion. Kevin Hill…a story about a single black father who happens to be a lawyer struggling to adjust to parenthood. Who wants to see that right?

As consumers, we have to demand better programming. As actors & actresses, we have to demand bigger and greater roles. Brad Pitt is considered a leading man when Don Cheadle & Jeffrey Wright can act circles around that clown, but where are the parts. I think there is some stubbornness on White America that doesn't want to leave outside their box and branch out to other programming. Example, The Wire…best show on HBO hands down with no trophies to show for it…yet I hear about how great Man Men is and the many awards that they are nominated for. I'm sorry, I was the biggest Soprano fan, but the series got weaker and weaker, but still enjoyed success that The Wire never saw. Just my 3 cents.

Off the subject, but still kind of on the subject. I started a style blog because I was tired of the media constantly putting black men out there with pants sagging with wifebeaters. We are more than that. I wanted to put something out for us to raise our style IQ as well as being a gentleman. Anyway, I've been a member of this one particular forum and I asked for support for the Black Weblog Awards. I won't piss and moan, but I've only got 35 views while other brainless threads about what you are watching on TV are getting more hits. I also remember in college we used to have Friday movie night. All white movies until one Friday where they showed Panther…not a single white soul was in that hall. I thought to myself, well ain't that a trip.

I am sorry for that slavery is over portion of my comment. I don't know where my mind was when I wrote it. Sorry. That may be a result of a bad cut and past job.

Chic,

I thought your comment was tongue in cheek actually.

Listen people, Monie hit the nail on the head.

If Black people didn't have the buying power, do you think that corporations would spend BILLIONS on the advertising that is geared to Black people. Proctor and Gamble spend BILLIONS on diverse advertising, ads that are run ALL the time. I see POC in commercials all the time (I am in the entertainment biz so I do watch a lot of tv). Corporations also spend millions of dollars to simply figure out how to gain brand loyalty amongst POC. Why do you think CocaCola had Tyrese signing on that bus, or McDonald's would have created Calvin? CocaCola gives millions in scholarships to Black people, because they want our money.

The issue is that there has never been any legislation to enforce diversity or inclusion within the realm of entertainment. No one has sued Sony or CBS for not hiring Black people. Do you know how many times Black actresses are up for roles, only to be told that as good as they are, the network just can't "go Black". Now, there is no way that any other corporation or industry can use that as an excuse. You will get sued, period. Without legislation, you can possibly expect Hollywood to stop being racist. It has nothing to do with money. Black movies make money. Hollywood execs will try and make us believe that there are no international markets for Black films. That is simply not true. Hollywood will send "Black" movies to predominately Asian markets, where they don't fare well. Hollywood is racist, point blank and they have never been truly called to task for that racism. If Black shows can start two networks, if the Cosby Show can launch "Must See TV", then Black Shows can compete on primetime TV.

There are some really ignorant thoughts that responded. Okay we ALLLLL know that slavery is over but. There's a Holocust Museum. that gonn alive forever so why shouldn't slavery. Believe me i'm soooo over slavery and all that good stuff. But if caucasian people had something dramatic happen to there race years ago, we would also never hear the end. in regards to African American, getting up and doing for themselves yeah ok, that great, but we have the run it buy the white man who owns the station first. we have. We have Tyler Perry who is doing a wonderful job. He started by himself. Clapps for him. Great. i swear people get so up in a bunch when it come to black a white. with that there will never not be prejudice or racist people. I'm just done.